Susskind Norman. The French Correction: Grammatical Problems for Review and Reference

Yale University Press, 1984. — 116 p.The author Norman Susskind pinpoints key problem areas in French grammar and suggests ways in which the native English speaker can master them. Each tip is assigned a three digit number which is nicely cross-referenced in the back in a thorough index. All of the tips are grouped under the following twelve chapter headings: Articles, Object Pronouns, Relative Pronouns, Passe Compose and Imperfect, Agreement of Participles, Reflexives, Passive Tense, Subjunctive, Interrogation, Certain Effects of Certain Verbs in Certain Tenses and Moods, Faire, Falloir, S'Agir and Time. In addition to concise information, formatted in an almost encyclopedic style, Susskind sprinkles his French gems with a liberal coating of humor and grammar usage illustrating his points with actual sentences. My only complaint here is the lack of English translation for all the sentences however simplistic. I realize that Susskind intends the book for advanced students who have already encountered rigorous grammar exercises and can easily recognize the sore subjects Susskind so thoughtfully summarizes with a knowing wince, but I do think that a beginning and most definitely an intermediate student will benefit greatly from this compendium. This is one book that no French teacher/student should be without! From his very first paragraph and throughout his entire book, Professor Susskind will delight every Francophile with his witty yet extremely practical approach to those rather "prickly" points that seem to characterize French grammar. Norman Susskind will have both students and teachers alike howling with laughter as they encounter some funny and very effective illustrations which help immeasurably in simplifying some rather troublesome grammatical topics: relative pronouns, object pronouns, etc.